D’Angelo Russell has been in the NBA for almost a decade, but he was drafted 12 years after LeBron James, idolizing the superstar growing up. He revealed after the Lakers OT win over the Wizards that his first live basketball game was to watch LeBron and he cried when he saw him play.
“He’s the first person I saw play in the NBA. My dad took me to my first NBA game against the Pacers. I’m from Kentucky so that was our pro team. They played the Cavs, I was a big LeBron fan. He did that signature dunk, and I remember crying. Being at the game as a fan and watching him do the dunk… I remember crying vividly. That was like when I knew, this is where I want to be. He’s inspired me without knowing it.”
D’Angelo Russell told the story about how he cried the first time he watched LeBron James play in person as a kid. #Lakeshow @SportingTrib pic.twitter.com/ODW0NMmGHs
— LoJo Media (@LoJoMedia) March 1, 2024
Russell continued to laud LeBron for everything he’s achieved and how he mentors the players around him on and off the court.
“He’s continuing to inspire the youth, his teammates, but the youth as a whole. Everyone looks up to a guy like him. The way he paved the way for us on and off the floor. He’s a true role model. I am not surprised by anything that he’s doing. I won’t be surprised by the things he’s continuing to do. The sky is the limit for him and what he has done for this team.”
James will be breaking the 40,000-point barrier in the Lakers’ next game against their rival Denver Nuggets. Given Nikola Jokic has beaten LeBron and the Lakers in each of their last six encounters, James will hope to make history and finally lead them to a win.
He’s averaging 25.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 7.9 assists this season.
LeBron James Still Competing At A Championship Level
Mostly, players who make it to Year 21 in their career are happy with a minimized bench role on a non-playoff team to see out their career. James hasn’t done that, continuing to lead the most storied franchise in NBA history as a title contender. While the Lakers are currently the No. 9 seed, they made the Conference Finals last season as a play-in team and will hope to be a postseason terror regardless.
Even if this season doesn’t result in championship glory, it’s easy to see that James has already outdone every single legend who made it to Year 21, even by combining all their stats and pitting it against LeBron alone. LeBron is already indicating his desire to return to the franchise on a longer contract this summer if he declines his $51 million player option.
The Lakers wouldn’t have expected LeBron to play at this level heading into the 2024-25 season when they signed him in 2018 but this longevity has been incredible to see. The team is expected to make a major move this summer to add a third star next to LeBron and Anthony Davis, with Trae Young reportedly the top target.
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